Semi-automatic bagging machine

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for assisting an operator in applying bags, closed at the sides and one end, to items such as garments on hangers which are preferably automatically fed to and removed from the apparatus. The bags are formed from material supplied in continuous, tubular form by transversely sealing the material at a desired location and severing it near the seal, thereby closing the top of one bag and leaving an open end of the continuous material for the bottom of the next bag. The bagging material is manually drawn over a garment on a hanger supported at the upper end of a pole. The operation is more efficient than conventional manual garment bagging by making the top of the pole laterally movable to three distinct positions for loading, bagging and discharging the hanger-held garments.

United States Patent Vanderpool Sept. 4, 1973 1 SEMI-AUTOMATIC BAGGINGMACHINE Primary ExaminerRobert L. Spruill [76] Inventor: Charles C.Vanderpool, RD. 1, Attorney-Charles McGuire Waverly, NY. 14892 [22]Filed: Apr. 10, 1972 7] ABSTRACT Appl. No.: 242,445

Apparatus for assisting an operator in applying bags, closed at thesides and one end, to items such as garments on hangers which arepreferably automatically fed to and removed from the apparatus. The bagsare formed from material supplied in continuous, tubular form bytransversely sealing the material at a desired location and severing itnear the seal, thereby closing the top of one bag and leaving an openend of the continuous material for the bottom of the next bag. Thebagging material is manually drawn over a garment on a hanger supportedat the upper end of a pole. The operation is more efficient thanconventional manual garment bagging by making the top of the polelaterally movable to three distinct positions for loading, bagging anddischarging the hanger-held garments.

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SEMI-AUTOMATIC BAGGING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to apparatus useful in the application of individualbags, formed from material supplied in the form of a continuous, tubularweb, to garments on hangers in a continuous sequence. More particularly,the invention relates to apparatus of this character which issemi-automatic in nature, requiring an operator to draw the open end ofthe material over the garments, but performing other functions in anautomatic manner to increase the efficiency of the bagging operation.

It is a common practice to package newly manufactured, as well as drycleaned or laundered garments and other articles in bags closed at thetop and sides, and open at the bottom, with the end of a wire hanger, orthe like, on which the garment is supported extending through an openingin the top edge of the bag. The bagging material is usually atransparent plastic to allow the article to be seen while still beingprotectively packaged.'Clear polyethylene, for example, is commerciallyavailable for this purpose in various thicknesses, widths and lengths intubular form, folded flat and supplied in rolls.

141,882, discloses fully automatic apparatus for applying bags togarments in a continuous sequence. That is, the bagging material istaken from a supply roll and drawn over a garment, sealed and cut toform an individual bag of the proper length, and another garment movedinto position for bagging, all in a fully automatic manner. Theapparatus is capable of bagging garments at a much faster rate than asingle operator using prior, conventional apparatus and techniques, thusproviding distinct labor and cost savings in a short period if used to areasonably full portion of its capacity. Fully automatic baggingapparatus would not be economically feasible, however, in applicationshaving only intermittent need for its capabilities.

The present invention seeks to fill the gap between the slower and moreburdensome means of garment bagging previously used and the fullyautomatic apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned copendingapplication. An operator is required for drawing the bagging materialover the garment, but the apparatus of the invention providesmanyautomatic features which greatly speed up the procedure over priormanual systems. The same bagging material is used with the presentinvention as with the automatic apparatus, or in other conventionalapplications, i.e., a clear polyethylene in a continuous double layer,closed at the sides.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Basically, the apparatus includes a garmentsupport pole movable in response to push button actuation, or the like,under operator control, between three distinct positions of at least theend thereof on which the garment hanger is supported. In one position(designated the loading" position), the hanger is placed on the pole,preferably by automatic feeding means. In the next position (the baggingposition), the pole is disposed with the end supporting the hangerdirectly under means holding the leading end of the bagging material inan open condition. While the pole is in the bagging position theoperator manually draws the leading end of the bagging material over thegarment, stopping when it is in the desired position relative to thelength of the garment. The operator then actuates an electrical switch,preferably comprising safety interlock means, to cause movement ofmechanism which seals and cuts the web of bagging material to form anindividual bag for the garment then in the bagging position, alsoforming a new leading end, held in an open condition, of the tubularweb. The pole is then moved to the third, or discharge, position wherethe bagged garment and hanger are removed, also preferably by automaticejection means. From the discharge position, the pole is returned to theloading position and the cycle is repeated.

In the disclosed embodiment, a single pole is provided and mounted formovement to each of the three positions in sequence. As disclosed, thepole is pivotally mounted near the lower end and is vertically disposedin the bagging position, being tilted in one direction from the verticalfor loading and in the opposite direction for discharge. The mechanismfor effecting the sealing and cutting operation, as well as for openingthe leading end of the tubular web, may be essentially the same as thecorresponding mechanism disclosed in the referenced application on theautomatic apparatus. In the present invention, however, actuation ofsuch mechanism is not automatic but rather is under the operatorscontrol. Safety interlock means are provided to effectively preventinadvertent actuation of the mechanism.

It is a principal object of the present invention to providesemi-automatic apparatus for providing bags, closed at the sides and oneend, from a continuous supply of tubular material and placing the bagsover articles to be covered in a continuous sequence, wherein thematerial is manually drawn over the articles and other mechanismassisting in the operation is manually actuated.

Another object is to provide semi-automatic garment bagging apparatusincluding means for increasing the number of garments a single operatorcan bag per unit of time.

Still another object is to provide, in semi-automatic garment baggingapparatus having power driven cutting and heat sealing means, novelsafety features for preventing operator injury due to inadvertent orcareless actuation of the power driven means.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear morefully hereinafter from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is expressly understoodthat the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and arenot designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, referencebeing had for this purpose to the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, wherein likereference characters indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment, showingthe garment support pole in each of its three positions;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are side and rear elevational views, respectively, of theapparatus of FIG. 1, the base portion being shown in section in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, front view of the pole mounting and movementmechanism;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4; a

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view of mechanism associated withthe web cutting operation;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation, with portions broken away, of the face ofthe movable web-engaging bar, as seen from the line 77 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the stationary, webengaging face whichopposes the face shown in FIG. 7, as seen from the line 88 of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 9-1 1 are sectional side elevations of the mechanism for sealingand cutting the web, showing the sequence of operation thereof;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of an alternateconstruction of the mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are plan views of an alternate construction of the knifeblade mechanism, shown in the retracted and extended positions,respectively;

FIG. 15 is a sectional side elevation of the FIGS. 13-14 knife bladeembodiment, showing also the elements between which the knife blade ismounted;

FIGS. 16a and 16b are fragments of the cam elements which move one ofthe knife blades laterally as it is advanced and retracted;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a suggested embodiment of an automaticloader mechanism incorporated in the invention;

FIGS. 18-20 are a series of side elevational views of the loadermechanism of FIG. 17, showing the sequence of operation thereof;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the automatic ejectormechanism incorporated in the invention, shown in the lowermostposition;

FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the mechanism of FIG. 21 shown inthe uppermost position;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are front and top views, respectively, of the ejectormechanism; and

FIG. 25 is an electrical schematic showing electrical operation of thesystem.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The apparatus of the inventionis intended for operation with conventional bagging material, such astransparent polyethylene, commonly used to form temporary, disposablebags for covering garments. Such material is commercially available inthe form of a continuous, tubular web, i.e., an elongated double layer,closed at the sides, folded flat and supplied in rolls. The sides may ormay not have pleats or gussets, and some rolls intended for strictlymanual bagging operations are pre-sealed and perforated at constantintervals along their length, thus requiring no sealing or cutting toform the individual bags. The present invention is suitable for use withvirtually any commercially available, heat-sensitive bagging material,except that there is never a need for the more expensive, pre-sealed,perforated material since the apparatus of the invention includes meansfor sealing and cutting the web at any desired location. Any desiredthickness or width, up to a maximum limit, of bagging material may beused with the apparatus of the invention.

In FIGS. 1-3 a preferred construction is shown from the front, side andrear. The apparatus is divided generally into base portion 20, frame 22,web-engaging section 24, automatic loader 26, automatic ejector 28 andgarment support pole 30. Base 20 is closed on the top and sides, open onthe bottom, and of sufficient height to accommodate the lower end ofpole 30, as shown in the broken-away portion of FIG. 2, and othermechanism described later in more detail. The base is perfera- 5 blymetal, but may be made of wood or other such materials if economy is ofprimary importance.

Frame 22 is affixed to and supported on base 20, and provides means forholding and guiding the bagging material, as well as for supportingvarious other elements of the apparatus. A pair of bracket supports 32are fixedly attached to a rear portion of frame 22 and serve to supporta spindle or axle 34 of a roll of bagging material 36. The materialpasses over guides 38 and downwardly with the leading end engaged by apair of opposing faces of web-engaging section 24.

Pole is pivotally mounted by means of pin 40 on mounting plate 42,affixed to base 20 and extending through a slot in the top thereof. Thepole is movable about its pivotal mounting between three distinctpositions. In FIG. 1 pole 30 is shown in solid lines in a verticalposition, directly under web-engaging section 24 and the leading end ofbagging material 36. This is the position of the pole when the materialis pulled over a garment supported thereon, and is hereafter referred toas the bagging position. Pole 30 is rotated in opposite directions fromthe bagging position to the positions shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 1;the position indicated by reference numeral 30! is designated theloading position, and that numbered 30" the discharge position. Rod 43extends from frame 22 and holds arm 45 in a position to be contacted bypole 30 in the loading position, thereby insuring that the end of thepole will be in the exact position required for receiving a hanger fedto it by apparatus 26. A control box having front panel 44 is attachedto one side of frame 22 and holds the manually engagable portions 46,47, 48 and 49 of electrical switches having circuit functions describedlater. A second control box having front panel 50 is attached to theopposite side of the front of frame 22 and supports manually engageableportions 52 and 53 of other electrical switches. Vacuum motor 54 issupported adjacent the top of frame 22 and vacuum hoses 56 and 58 extendtherefrom to connections with later described vacuum faces ofweb-engaging section 24. Apparatus 59, shown in FIG. 2 only, isillustrated in a general manner to indicate the presence and preferredlocation of elements such as electrical and pneumatic regulating andcontrol members such as valves, transformers, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower end of pole 30 extends intobase 20 and is pivotally attached by pin 60 to reciprocating piston rod62 of air cylinder 64. To allow for lateral movement of rod 62 as thelower end of pole 30 moves in its arcuate path, cylinder 64 is pivotallyattached, as indicated by reference numeral 66, to base 20. Thus, inwardmovement of rod 62, from the position shown in FIG. 4, by appropriateactuation of an electrically operated valve (described later) iseffective to move pole 30 to the loading position. Outward movement islikewise effective to move the pole to the discharge position.

Latch bar 68 is pivotally mounted on block 70, affixed to mounting plate42, and includes stop 72 extending through slot 74 in plate 42. Solenoid76 is supported on bracket 78, extending from plate 42, and attached bylink 80 to latch bar 68. The bottom of pole 30 may be moved to the rightas seen in FIG. 4 (moving the pole to the loading position) with latchbar 68 in the engaged position, as shown. However, before the pole canbe moved to the discharge position, solenoid 76 must be actuated towithdraw stop 72 from the path of the bottom of the pole. Also shown inFIG. 4 are a pair of microswitches 82 and 84, supported on plate 42 andhaving contacts movable by the lower end of pole 30 as it reaches theopposite ends of its travel. The limits of travel of pole 30 may bedefined by the inner and outer limits of travel of rod 62, or fixedstops (not shown) may be provided in the path of pole 30. The manner ofactuating cylinder 64 and solenoid 76 to effect movement of pole 30 inthe desired manner will be described later.

In FIG. 6 the actuating mechanism of web-engaging section 24 is shown.Spaced upper sections of frame 22 support previously-mentioned web guide38 and actuator rod 86, connected by linkage 88 to pneumatic cylinder90. The upper end of linkage 88 is keyed to rod 86 to effect reciprocalrotation thereof in response to extension and retraction of cylinder 90,which is pivotally mounted on rod 92 extending fixedly from frame 22. Apair of arms 94 and 96 are fixedly mounted on opposite ends of actuatorrod 86 for rotation therewith. A second pair of arms 98 and 100 arepivotally mounted on opposite sides of frame 22, parallel with arms 94and 96, respectively. Arms 94 and 96 are pivotally attached to connectorbars 102 and 104, respectively, and threaded studs extend from the endsof arms 98 and 100 through elongated slots in the respective connectorbars. Stud 106 extends through slot 108 in bar 102 and is biased towardone end of the slot by spring 110, a like arrangement being provided onthe opposite side.

Bar 112 includes end portions extending loosely through vertical slots114 and 116 in the end of connector bars 102 and 104. Knife blade 118,having sawtoothed cutting edge 120, is fixedly attached to bar 112 andextends through a space between hollow vacuum bar 122 and laminatorsupport bar 124, both of which are supported between connector bars 102and 104.

Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the faces of the movable and stationaryelements, respectively, between which the web is engaged, are shown.Upper face 126 of movable vacuum bar 122 includes a plurality of smallopenings 127 communicating with the hollow interior of the vacuum barwhich is connected through tube 58 to vacuum motor 54. Plate 128 ismounted on a plurality of pins 130, extending "from the plate throughlaminator support bar 124 (see FIGS. 9-11). Plate 128 is biased awayfrom bar 124 by springs 131, pins 130 being retained by removable cotterpins 133. Openings 132 in plate 128 are in registration with two sets ofconical prongs 134 fixedly mounted on laminator support bar 124. Theprongs of each set extend from a common base of electrically conductingmaterial and individually comprise a conducting core covered with anon-conductive, non-stick coating, preferably of Teflon, or the like.Each set of prongs is connected by wires 136 to an electrical supply andare thereby heated to a temperature sufficient to effect a seal of twolayers of material 36. For a clear showing of at least a portion of allpertinent elements, a portion of plate 128 is broken away so that onlyone set of openings 132 and prongs 134 are shown. It will be readilyunderstood, however, that both the prongs and openings are duplicated oneach side of the movable element. By removing cotter pins 133, plate 128may be easily dismounted, providing access to prongs 134 for cleaning,repair, etc.

The stationary web-engaging element is shown in FIG. 8. Upper face 138thereof includes openings 140 communicating with the interior of hollowvacuum bar 132 which is connected to vacuum motor 54 by tube 56. Theconstruction and function are identical to that of vacuum bar 122 of themovable element. Lower face 144 of the stationary element is formed of aresilient material, such as sponge rubber, and is spaced from upper face138 to define open slot 146 therebetween in registration with knifeblade 118. Elongated slots 148 in lower face 144 on the stationaryelement are in registration with the two sets of prongs on the movableelement.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate the sequence of operations of the web-engagingelements. As the elements are shown in FIG. 9, cylinder (see FIG. 6) isretracted and the movable element is spaced by the maximum amount fromthe stationary element. In this position, the operator may draw thebagging material 36 down over a garment supported in the baggingposition. Material 36 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 9 in its initialposition, i.e. with the leading end held open by the faces of vacuumbars 122 and 132, and in solid. lines as it appears after being graspedby the operator and pulled down over the garment. When the material hasbeen pulled down to the desired length the operator pushes both buttons48 and 53, thereby actuating the valve controlling the air supply tocylinder 90. Simultaneous actuation of both buttons 48 and 53 obviouslyrequires the use of both hands. Although actuation could be effectedjust as easily, by actuation of a single button, or other suchmechanism, an actuating means requiring the use of both hands isprovided to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent actuation, therebyreducing potential accidents.

Referring again to FIG. 6, as cylinder 90 is extended, actuator rod 86is rotated. This rotation is imparted to arms 94 and 96, thereby movingthe other elements of the linkage and bringing the movable web-engagingelement into contact with the stationary element with material 36engaged therebetween, as shown in FIG. 10. Plate 128 is moved towardsupport bar 124, against the bias of springs 130, by continued movementafter material 36 has been engaged between the plate and lower face 144of the stationary element. Prongs 134 extend through holes 132 andthrough the bagging material and into slots 148 in the lower face of thestationary element, as shown in FIG. 10. The heat of the prongs issufficient to effect a seal of the baggine mate rial in the areas ofcontact. The limit of movement of the movable element is defined bycontact of faces 126 and 138 of the movable and stationary vacuum bars,respectively, with material 36 engaged therebetween. Continued extensionof cylinder 90, after the movable element has reached the limit of itstravel, will continue to rotate arms 94 and 96, but arms 98 and cannotrotate further in this direction. Thus, as connector bar 102 continuesto move, stud 106 rides along slot 108 and spring will be elongated. Thesame action will take place with respect to connector bar 104 and theelements on the other side of the linkage. Connector bars 102 and 104will continue to move bar 112, and knife blade 118, until cutting edgehas moved through material 36. Arcuate movement of connector bars 102and 104 while knife blade 118 is constrained member 152, affixed bybracket 154 to vacuum bar 132, opposes the forward edge of plate 150 sothat material 36 is engaged therebetween when the movable and stationaryelements come together. Thus, material 36 is securely engaged both aboveand below the point where it is severed, thereby insuring that thematerial cannot slip when engaged by knife edge 120.

After the material is sealed and cut, cylinder 90 reverses its motionand is again retracted to move the movable web-engaging element backinto spaced relation with the stationary element, as shown in FIG. 9.The operator then pulls the severed portion of the material, now in theform of an individual bag, the remaining few inches down over thegarment so that the sealed areas (closed end of the bag) engage the topof the garment. The garment hanger and top of pole 30 may extend out ofthe bag through the unsealed portion at the center, in the regionbetween two sets of prongs. The operator then actuates push button 46and the garment pole moves to the discharge position for the removal ofthe bagged garment. When the pole arrives at the discharge position andactuates switch 82 (FIG. 4) automatic ejector 28 will remove the baggedgarment from the pole and actuate mechanism to reverse cylinder 64,thereby moving pole 30 to the loading position to pick up 'a newgarment. When automatic loader 26 places a new garment on pole 30 itwill automatically move back to the bagging position and stop, ready forthe new leading end of material 36 to be pulled down over the garment.

The vacuum applied to the opposite sides of the new leading end ofmaterial 36 will move the end to an open condition, as shown in dottedlines in FIG. 9, when the web-engaging elements are moved apart. Theentire process is then repeated for the new, unbagged garment on pole30, and each subsequent garment.

Turning now to FIG. 12, an alternate construction for the actuatingelements of the web-engaging section is shown. Common reference numeralsare used for elements common to both the earlier described and thepresent embodiment. Guides 38 for material 36 are again supported onframe 22, as are a pair of horizontally disposed, linear tracks, one ofwhich is seen in the sectional view of FIG. 12 and designated byreference numeral 156. Slider bar 158 is movably supported by track 156,and fixed stud 160 extends from one side of the bar. Slotted end 162 ofarm 164 engages stud 160 to effect sliding movement of bar 158 alongtrack 156 as arm 164 is rotated.

Air cylinder 90 is again pivotally mounted at its lower end. Rod 166 isconnected to link 168 which, together with arm 164, is keyed toshaft-170. Thus, extension and retraction of cylinder 90, through rod166 and link 168, serves to rotate shaft 170 which in turn rotates arm164, thereby effecting reciprocal movement of slider bar 158. Themovable web-engaging element is mounted on bar 158, and thecorresponding bar on the opposite side, in the same manner as it wasmounted between bars 102 and 104 in the previous embodiment. In thepresent embodiment, however, there is no need to support the ends of theknife bar in slots to accommodate arcuate movement of the mounting barsas the knife blade moves linearly since in the present embodiment theslider bars also move linearly. Appropriate, spring biased means wouldbe provided, as in the previous embodiment, for allowing relativemovement between movable vacuum and laminator support bars and theslider bar so that knife blade 112 can continue to advance after thevacuum and laminator support bars have reached the limit of theirtravel. If desirable or necessary, to prevent binding, and the like,arms 164 may be provided on both sides to engage studs on both sliderbars. Alternatively, stud may be a rod extending between the two sliderbars and engaged by arm 164 at the center, in which case shaft wouldalso extend between opposite sides of frame 22.

An alternate construction of the severing mechanism is shown in FIGS.13-16. In this embodiment a pair of superposed and relatively movableknife blades are provided, each having a saw-toothed cutting edge. Lowerblade 172 is again secured to support bar 112, as in the previousembodiment, and upper blade 174 is placed loosely thereon with pins 176on the lower blade extending through slots 178 in the upper blade.Elements 180 and 182 are fixedly secured adjacent the side edges ofblades 172 and 174, and include extending portions 184 and 186,respectively. As best seen in FIGS. 16a and 16b, portions 184 and 186extend only from the upper surfaces of elements 180 and 182, therebyextending over the upper surface of lower blade 172 and lying adjacentthe side edges of upper blade 174. Notches 188 and 190 are formed in theopposite side edges of blade 174 to cooperate with portions 184 and 186as cam elements to effect reciprocal, lateral movement of blade 174.

As seen in FIG. 15, vacuum bar 122 and laminator support bar 124 arearranged a proper distance apart to accommodate the elements of thecutting mechanism therebetween. The cutting edges of the two blades aretapered toward one another and are flush across the points. Bar 1 12 ismounted as before at each end on the movable support bars, or the like,with means for overtravel to allow for movement of the blades after thevacuum bar and laminator support have reached the limit of their travel.The blades are shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 in the retracted position, andin FIG. 14 in the extended position, as they would appear when cuttingthrough the bagging material.

Elements 180 and 182 are fixed with respect to the vacuum and laminatorsupport bars and are therefore held stationary after the baggingmaterial has been engaged between the faces of the movable andstationary vacuum bars. Continued travel of the means supporting bar 112moves blades 172 and 174 forwardly to cut through the bagging material.As the blades move, the right edge (as seen in FIGS. 13 and 14) of blade174 engages portion 186 of element 182. Continued forward movement ofthe blades moves blade 174 to the left, sliding across blade 172, to theposition shown in FIG. 14 when the blades are fully extended. As theblades are retracted, contact of the edge of notch 188 with portion 184of element 180 will move blade 174 back to the position of FIG. 13. Thesickle blade action of the present embodiment of the web severingmechanism, while somewhat more complex and expensive than the firstembodiment, provides a better, more reliable cutting action.

Details of one embodiment of automatic loader 26 are shown in FIGS.17-20. A number of different embodiments of automatic loading apparatus,including that set forth herein, are disclosed in Applicants copendingUS. application Ser. No. 242,695, filed of even date herewith. Any suchembodiments are suitable for incorporation with the present invention aswell as with the bagging apparatus disclosed in Applicants previouslyfiled application Ser. No. 141,882.

Mounting bracket 192 is fixedly supported in the.

proper position by arm 194 (FIG. 1) extending from frame 22. Welded orotherwise affixed to the lower side of bracket 192 is curved channel 196which supports along its other edge hanger support rod 198. Fragments ofa plurality of hangers 200, carrying the garments to be bagged, areshown supported on rod 198. End portion 202 of rod 198 is positionedclosely adjacent the upper end of garment support pole 30 when thelatter is in the loading position. The relative position is such that ahanger sliding off of end portion 202 will be placed on pole 30. Rod 198is disposed in a downwardly sloping position toward end portion 202 sothat hangers placed on the rod are carried by gravity toward end 202.

The mechanism for feeding hangers 200 one at a time to the garment polecomprises a pair of reciprocating rods and associated apparatus formoving them in proper sequence. Rod 204 has an end portion adapted to beplaced in blocking relation to hangers 200, as shown in FIG. 18, therebypreventing any hangers from sliding off end portion 202. Rod 204 passesloosely through an opening in bracket 192, and is attached to element206, having slotted opening 208.

Rocker arm 210 is pivotally supported on the end of rod 212, extendingfixedly from bracket 192. Screw 214 extends loosely through slot 208 inelement 206 and is secured to rocker arm 210. Actuating arm 216 ispivotally secured to rocker arm 210 and is movable in response toactuation of a solenoid, now shown in FIGS. 17-20 but shownschematically and described more fully as to operation in FIG. 25.

Rod 218 extends loosely through an opening in bracket 192 and extendsthrough an enlarged opening in rocker arm 210. Spur portion 220 likewiseextends through bracket 192, thus preventing rotation of rod 218. Spring222 is compressed between fixed ring 224 on rod 218 and bushing 226,which is thereby urged against the rocker arm. Rod 218 is retained onrocker arm 210 by nuts 228.

The elements are shown in the initial position, prior to actuation ofthe solenoid, in FIG. 18. Rod 204 bears against rod 198, preventinghangers 200 from sliding further down the rod. Upon actuation of thesolenoid, arm 216 is moved upward, thereby rotating rocker arm 210 in aclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 18-20. Initial rotation movesrod 218 in a downward direction, but rod 204 does not move upward untilscrew 214 reaches the top of slot 208. The elements are shown in FIG. 19in an intermediate position of rotation of arm 210. It will be notedthat rods 204 and 218 are spaced by approximately the diameter of one ofhangers 200. Also, the end of rod 218 which moves down to engage rod 198is tapered, thus facilitating movement thereof between two adjacenthangers.

Continued rotation of rocker arm 210 will bring the tip of rod 218 intocontact with rod 198 and will then cause upward movement of rod 204. Asrod 204 is being moved upward, spring 222 is compressed. As seen in FIG.20, as rod 204 is raised to allow a hanger to slide off rod 198, rod 218blocks the path of the other hangers.

When the solenoid is deactuated the sequence of movement is reversed. Asrocker arm 210 is rotated counterclockwise rod 218 remains in engagementwith rod 198 as spring 222 expands. In the meantime, screw 214 hastraveled back to the lower end of slot 208 and rod 204 is moved backinto engagement with rod 198. When rod 218 is raised back to theposition of FIG. 18, hangers 200 may slide as far as rod 204, bu nofurther. Hangers carrying garments to be bagged may thus be fed one at atime, at proper intervals, to the bagging apparatus in response toactuation and deactuation of a solenoid, electrical operation of whichis described later.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-24, a suggested embodiment of the structureand operation of the mechanism for removing bagged garments from garmentpole 30, indicated generally in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 28, isshown. Movement of vertically disposed air cylinder. 230 is controlledby actuation of a solenoid valve, as disclosed in connection with FIG.25. Cylinder rod 232 carries support 234 to which box-like element 236is affixed. Shaft 238 extends through opposite sides of element 236 andis keyed to pinion 240. Rack 242 engages pinion 240, as best seen inFIG. 23, and extends through an opening in the top of element 236. Shaft244 is connected to the lower end of rack 242 and extends looselythrough an opening in the bottom of element 236. Spring 246 iscompressed between the bottom of element 236 and fixed ring 248 at thetop of shaft 244. Thus, rack 242 is normally held by spring 246 at theupper limit of its movements defined by stop 250 on the lower end ofshaft 244.

Pickup member 252 is attached to a portion of shaft 238 and includes ahorizontally disposed edge, having groove 254 therein, and edge 256which is sloped with respect to the horizontal. When garment pole 30' ismoved to the discharge position, groove 254 of pickup member 252 islocated directly under the hooked end of hanger 200 on the garment pole.Upon upward movement of rod 232 of cylinder 230, member 252 engages andlifts hanger 200 and the bagged garment supported thereon. The elementsare shown in FIG. 21 just as the hanger has been picked up and lifted avery short distance. Cylinder 230 continues to extend rod 232 until thetop of rack 242 contacts a fixed stop which includes switch 258 on arm260, as shown in FIG. 22, extending from frame 22 or some otherconvenient location. Switch 258 will be shown schematically and itsfunction described later. A small amount of additional travel while rack242 is held stationary will rotate pinion 240, and thereby shaft 238 andpickup member 252. The amount of additional travel of the cylinder whilerack 242 is held stationary is that required to rotate shaft 238 by180', and is defined by fixed stop 261 on rack 242 contacting the top ofelement 236, as shown in FIG. 22, Thus, at the uppermost limit of travelof cylinder 230, the elements are in the position of FIG. 22, with edge256 of member 252 on top. Hanger 200 can then slide off member 252 andonto one end of rod 262, positioned adjacent the tip of member 252 atthe top of its travel. The travel of cylinder 230 is sufficient, ofcourse, to remove the bottom of the garment bag from the top of garmentpole 30. The hangers may slide down rod 262 to further automatichandling or conveying apparatus, or may accumulate on racks, or thelike, for further manual handling.

Referring now to FIG. 25, all electrically operated portions of theapparatus are shown in schematic form. The power supply, indicated inthe drawing as l 15 volts AC is connected through appropriate fuses 264to one or more transformers such as that indicated by reference numeral266 to change the line voltage as required for the components used. Thesame reference numerals are used to designate portions shownschematically in FIG. 25 as are used to designate the same portionsshown physically in other figures. In addition to the electrical powersupply, a compressed air supply at approximately 40-60 p.s.i. isrequired.

The operator first closes switch 46 and allows a sufficient time for theheat seal elements to warm up. In the meantime, the operator may place asupply of garments on hangers on rod 198 of automatic loader 26, makingsure that the hangers are not crossed or tangled. Switch 47 is thenmanually closed to start vacuum unit 54 and the leading end of thebagging material is opened and one side applied against the opposingfaces of the two vacuum bars.

Garment pole 30 is assumed for purposes of explanation to be initiallyin the bagging position, and the operator manually presses the button onpanel 50 to close switch 52. This supplies power to the four-waysolenoid valve controlling air supply to cylinder 64. The valve isindicated in FIG. 25 by reference numeral 268 and the power suppliedthrough switch 52 actuates the valve to cause inward movement of thecylinder, thereby moving pole 30 to the loading position. When pole 30reaches the loading position the lower end thereof contacts and closesswitch 84, as shown in FIG. 4, thereby supplying power to coil 270 ofthe solenoid which moves arm 216 (FIGS. 17-20) to allow a hanger to betransferred to the garment pole. Closing of switch 84 likewise actuateselectronic timer 272 which is adjustable to allow control of the timeinterval for which garment pole 30 will remain in the loading position.

Upon expiration of the time interval set on timer 272, contacts 274 areclosed to supply power to four-way valve 268, this time actuating thevalve 268, this time actuating the valve to move cylinder 64 outwardly.When the lower end of pole 30 contacts stop 72 of latch bar 68 the polewill be stopped in the bagging position. The operator may now reach upwith both hands grasp the open end of bagging material 36, and pull itdown over the garment. After the material is manually pulled down thedesired distance the operator simultaneouslypresses the two push-buttonswhich actuate switches 48 and 53 to supply power to valve 276controlling the air supply to cylinder 90 (FIG. 6). Power suppliedthrough switches 48 and 53 actuates the valve to cause inward movementof the cylinder, thereby moving the movable web-engaging element towardthe stationary element and sealing and cutting the material in themanner previously described.

One of the two series-connected switches, in the illustrated embodimentswitch 48, is a double pole type having normally closed and normallyopen contacts. Relay 278 is in an actuated condition with its normallyopen contacts closed prior to operator actuation of switches 48 and 50.The normally closed contacts of switch 48 provide a holding circuit forrelay 278. While the contacts of relay 278 are closed, power is providedto three-way air valve 280 which is interposed in the air line betweenthe pressure supply and the side of fourway valve 276 controlling theair supply for the outward stroke of cylinder 64. The power suppliedthrough relay 278 holds valve 280 open; thus, when the relay isdeactuated by movement of switch 48 to the normally open contacts, valve280 is closed, cutting off the air supply through valve 276 to cylinder64. Garment pole 30 will then be standing in the vertical (bagging)position without air pressure on the pole pivot cylinder.

Movement of the swing bar (FIG. 6) or slide bar (FIG. 12) mechanism tothe full extent of its inward travel to seal and cut the material in themanner described, closes the contacts of switch 282. This supplies powerto actuate valve 276 to supply air pressure moving cylinder in theinward direction, thereby moving the web-engaging elements back intospaced relation. The new leading end formed when the web is cut will beopened by the vacuum faces and the individual bag formed by the sealingand cutting operation is released. The bag may now be manually pulleddown the few remaining inches over the garment with the top of pole 30and hanger 200 extending through the unsealed area of the material whichwas between the two sets of heated prongs.

The operator now presses switch 49 on panel 44. This switch has two setsof normally open contacts, closure of one set supplying power to actuatesolenoid 76 (see also FIG. 5) and of the other set providing actuatingcurrent to the coil of relay 278. Actuation of solenoid 76 removes stop72 from the path of the lower end of pole 30 and actuation of relay 278again opens valve 280 to provide air pressure through valve 276 formoving cylinder 64 in the outward direction. The provision of relay 278and valve 280 prevents the more severe shock which would occur in movingpole 30 to the discharge position if constant air pressure were suppliedtending to move cylinder 64 to the outward or extended position.

When pole 30 arrives at the discharge position the lower end actuatesswitch 82 (see also FIG. 4), closing the contacts thereof and providingpower to actuate air valve 284 which controls the supply of air pressureto cylinder 230 (FIGS. 21-24). The cylinder rod will thus move upward,removing the hanger and bagged garment from the end of pole 30, until itreaches the upper limit of its travel. When the top of rack 242 contactsswitch 258, power is again supplied to valve 268 to move it in thedirection providing air pressure to move cylinder 64 in the inwarddirection. Pole 30 will then be rotated all the way from the dischargeto the loading position. Initial movement of pole 30 will release switch82, thereby deactuating valve 284 and removing air pressure fromcylinder 230, allowing pickup member 252 to return to the lowerposition.

Movement of pole 30 to the loading position will again close switch 84,actuating garment feeder solenoid 270 and timer 272. The pole will thenautomatically return to the bagging position and the cycle is repeated.It will be noted that switches 46 and 47 are turned on when use of theapparatus begins and do not thereafter require actuation. Switch 52 isalso actuated only once, to effect initial movement of pole 30 to theloading position; thereafter the pole is automatically moved from thedischarge back to the loading position. Thus, the only repeatedoperations required of the operator are pulling the bagging materialdown over the garment in the bagging position, simultaneously actuatingswitches 48 and 53, and actuating switch 49. The timing of each cycle isunder the operators control, thereby allowing the operator to work at adesired pace, but the automation of the handling of the garments and thecutting and sealing of the .bagging material greatly increases thenumber of garments which a single operator can bag per unit of time.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for sequentially forming individual bags, closed at thesides and one end and open at the other end, from a continuous, tubularweb of material and for assisting in sequential application of such bagsto a succession of garments supported on hangers, said apparatuscomprising, in combination:

a. support means having an upper portion for receiving and holding ahanger with a garment thereon;

b. means operable to move at least said upper portion of said supportmeans sequentially through at least three laterally distinct positions;

0. means engaging and holding open the leading end of the tubular web inan initial position above one of said positions of said upper portion;

d. guide means establishing the path of the web from a supply locationthrough said initial position as the leading end is drawn downwardlytherefrom; and

e. means selectively operable to effect a transverse seal between thesides of the tubular web and to sever the web adjacent the seal, therebyforming an individual bag and a new leading end of the web.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said support meanscomprises a pole which is substantially vertically disposed at least insaid one position of said upper portion.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said pole is pivotallymounted at a lower portion for movement of said upper portion throughsaid three positions, the other two being on opposite sides of said oneposition.

4. The invention according to claim 3 and further including means forplacing a hanger on said pole when the latter is on one side of said oneposition, and means for removing said hanger from said pole when thelatter is one the other side of said one position.

5. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said pole is movable by acylinder connected thereto below the pivotal mounting thereof.

6. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said pole is movable fromsaid one position to another position in response to operator actuation,and thereafter movable automatically to the last position and back tosaid one position.

7. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said selectively operablemeans comprise a pair of relatively movable units between which said webis constrained by said guide means to pass, and which move intoengagement with one another with said web therebetween upon actuation ofsaid selectively operable means.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said selectively operablemeans are actuated by simultaneous manual engagement of a pair ofmembers spaced sufficiently to require the use of both hands for suchsimultaneous engagement.

9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said pair of memberscomprise the manually engagable portions of electrical switches.

10. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said means selectivelyoperable to sever the web comprises a pair of superposed knife edgesmovable through the plane of the web, to effect severing thereof, andsimultaneously movable laterally with respect to one another in sickleblade fashion.

11. Semi-automatic apparatus for applying plastic bags to individualgarments on hangers in a continuous sequence, the bags being formed bysaid apparatus from a continuous tubular web of plastic material, saidapparatus comprising, in combination:

' a. a pole having a notched upper end for receiving a garment hanger;

b. means mounting said pole for movement between first, second and thirdlaterally distinct positions of said upper end; i

c. loader means operable to automatically feed a single hanger from asupply thereof for engagement on said upper end when said pole is insaid first position;

d. guide means establishing the path of the web from a supply positionto a position of the loading end above said second position of saidpole, whereby said web may be drawn downwardly over a garmentsuspendedon a hanger on said upper end when said pole is in said secondposition;

e. ejection means operable to automatically remove a hanger from saidone end when said pole is in said third position; and

f. manually engagable switch means operable to move said pole from saidsecond to said third position.

12. The invention according to claim 11 wherein said ejector means areautomatically operable in response to said pole reaching said thirdposition, and further including means for moving said pole from saidthird to said first position in response to movement of said ejectormeans to remove a hanger from said one end.

13. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said loader means areautomatically operable in response to said pole reaching said firstposition, and further including means for moving said pole from saidfirst to tions.

1. Apparatus for sequentially forming individual bags, closed at thesides and one end and open at the other end, from a continuous, tubularweb of material and for assisting in sequential application of such bagsto a succession of garments supported on hangers, said apparatuscomprising, in combination: a. support means having an upper portion forreceiving and holding a hanger with a garment thereon; b. means operableto move at least said upper portion of said support means sequentiallythrough at least three laterally distinct positions; c. means engagingand holding open the leading end of the tubular web in an initialposition Above one of said positions of said upper portion; d. guidemeans establishing the path of the web from a supply location throughsaid initial position as the leading end is drawn downwardly therefrom;and e. means selectively operable to effect a transverse seal betweenthe sides of the tubular web and to sever the web adjacent the seal,thereby forming an individual bag and a new leading end of the web. 2.The invention according to claim 1 wherein said support means comprisesa pole which is substantially vertically disposed at least in said oneposition of said upper portion.
 3. The invention according to claim 2wherein said pole is pivotally mounted at a lower portion for movementof said upper portion through said three positions, the other two beingon opposite sides of said one position.
 4. The invention according toclaim 3 and further including means for placing a hanger on said polewhen the latter is on one side of said one position, and means forremoving said hanger from said pole when the latter is one the otherside of said one position.
 5. The invention according to claim 3 whereinsaid pole is movable by a cylinder connected thereto below the pivotalmounting thereof.
 6. The invention according to claim 3 wherein saidpole is movable from said one position to another position in responseto operator actuation, and thereafter movable automatically to the lastposition and back to said one position.
 7. The invention according toclaim 1 wherein said selectively operable means comprise a pair ofrelatively movable units between which said web is constrained by saidguide means to pass, and which move into engagement with one anotherwith said web therebetween upon actuation of said selectively operablemeans.
 8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said selectivelyoperable means are actuated by simultaneous manual engagement of a pairof members spaced sufficiently to require the use of both hands for suchsimultaneous engagement.
 9. The invention according to claim 8 whereinsaid pair of members comprise the manually engagable portions ofelectrical switches.
 10. The invention according to claim 1 wherein saidmeans selectively operable to sever the web comprises a pair ofsuperposed knife edges movable through the plane of the web, to effectsevering thereof, and simultaneously movable laterally with respect toone another in sickle blade fashion.
 11. Semi-automatic apparatus forapplying plastic bags to individual garments on hangers in a continuoussequence, the bags being formed by said apparatus from a continuoustubular web of plastic material, said apparatus comprising, incombination: a. a pole having a notched upper end for receiving agarment hanger; b. means mounting said pole for movement between first,second and third laterally distinct positions of said upper end; c.loader means operable to automatically feed a single hanger from asupply thereof for engagement on said upper end when said pole is insaid first position; d. guide means establishing the path of the webfrom a supply position to a position of the loading end above saidsecond position of said pole, whereby said web may be drawn downwardlyover a garment suspended on a hanger on said upper end when said pole isin said second position; e. ejection means operable to automaticallyremove a hanger from said one end when said pole is in said thirdposition; and f. manually engagable switch means operable to move saidpole from said second to said third position.
 12. The inventionaccording to claim 11 wherein said ejector means are automaticallyoperable in response to said pole reaching said third position, andfurther including means for moving said pole from said third to saidfirst position in response to movement of said ejector means to remove ahanger from said one end.
 13. The invention according to claim 12wherein said loader means are automatically operable in response to saidpole reaching said fiRst position, and further including means formoving said pole from said first to said second position upon expirationof a predetermined time interval after reaching said first position. 14.The invention according to claim 13 wherein said pole is pivotallymounted near its lower end for movement between said three positions,said pole being vertical in said second position and rotated in oppositedirections from said second to said first and third positions.